(_Louise comes from the left and remains standing right, inside the door_.)

HAMMELEV (_goes towards her_)

You wish to speak with me?

LOUISE (_falteringly, embarrassed_)

Yes--but I thought--perhaps I--ought not to--

ANTON

Why, of course you should. (_He feels his way to her, takes her by the hand, and leads her out into the room; the parents seem to be shocked_.) I wanted to tell you first, but as it now has happened differently than I had thought--here is the woman who has helped me to find the way out here to-day. And she has done more than that: she has led me through the darkest moments of my life.

MRS. HAMMELEV (_who, in a glance, has taken in Louise; in a voice of anxiety_)

Anton--what does this mean?

ANTON

It means, father and mother, that in the last two years she and I have been one. And we will never separate from each other.

HAMMELEV (_with strained kindliness_)

So--so you are engaged, poor little Anton? You haven’t written and told us anything about it.

ANTON

I didn’t want you to worry over me--to know that I--helpless as I was--had bound myself to another human being. I wanted you to _see_ her first. (_Moved_.) For I knew that in the same moment that you saw her, you’d understand it is for our mutual happiness. Isn’t that true when she has chosen to love me? As fine and beautiful as she is! You must understand how much she thinks of me. But you needn’t fear for her sake, I feel sure. I can make her happy; and for her it is happiness to be able to give of her full, rich heart--to give to one who longs with all his soul for sun and light--as I do.

MRS. HAMMELEV

I think, if we should speak of the richness of heart, that few have as much to give away as you have, Anton.

ANTON

No, no! don’t compare me with her. Remember--for her the whole world lies open; she need but stretch out her arms. But I--I have nothing to give up, nothing to offer. And there is nobody who asks anything from me, anyhow. Nature has now once for all--it seems to me--given me the right to be a bit selfish....

HAMMELEV

We had thought that--

ANTON

Yes, father, I might have known that this would come as a great surprise to you. And I know that before long you will love Louise as much as I myself do.

HAMMELEV

Louise--so that’s her name--your.... And her last name, if I may ask?

LOUISE

Thorsen.

HAMMELEV

Louise Thorsen--oh, yes.... (_Heartily_.) Well, well, my dear Anton--and you also, my dear--Louise Thorsen, I suppose I ought to wish you all sorts of health and happiness.

(_Approaches Anton with extended hand_.)

MRS. HAMMELEV (_goes between them_)

Hammelev--I think you first ought to let us speak with the young lady. (_With an emotion that she can hardly conceal_.) May I only say this: Anton knows that I, too, wish him happiness--that nobody could wish him more happiness than I--but it is not more than right that I learn to know her a little better before I--

ANTON (_quietly_)

Of course you may, mother.

MRS. HAMMELEV

You must understand me rightly, Anton. Father and I have been waiting for months for the happy day when you would come home. We spoke of it when we sat here the other evening--we thought of when you would step inside the door--we thought of how it would be with all of us together, the three of us. Now the whole thing will have to be changed. I can’t quite reconcile myself to it at once. Therefore, I want to have a chance to learn to know her first--she, whom you have chosen for yourself.

ANTON

Yes, mother, since you look at it that way--I think myself it is the best way. For I know very well that when you have talked with her ten minutes you’ll love her as if you had known her for many years. Father and I will take a walk in the garden in the meantime.

HAMMELEV

Anton ought to go up to his room, too. But you ought to show him that yourself, mother.

MRS. HAMMELEV (_nervously_)

Do as you like. I--

ANTON (_merrily_)

Let’s go out in the garden. I am longing to find out how much the big pear tree has grown that I planted out there myself when I still had my sight. But I tell you this, mother: you mustn’t make Louise regret that she cares for me, poor mole. For if I lose her, I’ll never find my way any more in life. (_Hammelev and Anton go out_.)